After 32 years as the athletics director of one of the most powerful programs in intercollegiate athletics, his loyalties are understandable. During his lengthy supervision, the Texas athletics budget soared to $163.3 million, from $4.5 million upon his arrival. Upgrades to facilities totaled more than $400 million. Throughout the stormy existence of the Big 12, Dodds, who announced his retirement in October, was one of the most influential figures. He helped with the creation of the league, which blended four members of the disbanded Southwest Conference with members of the Big Eight. He then was a key player in the preservation of the Big 12, with its current composition of 10 members tied to a long-term media rights agreement.

Known as the “Riley Flash” when he was a champion quarter-miler for Kansas State University, Dodds went on to guide the Wildcats to six Big Eight championships during a 14-year run as its track and cross country coach. He then served as K-State’s athletics director for three years before joining the Big Eight as assistant commissioner.

No one knew in 1981 that Dodds, 76, would last so long as the athletics director at Texas or oversee such a successful run.

Included is 14 national championships and 108 conference championships under his oversight.

“All we knew (about Dodds’ hire) was it was a former track star, a coach, athletic director at Kansas State,” recalled UT president Bill Powers. “He reported here in 1981 as the athletic director. How many of us suspected that on that day, that 32 years later he would be retiring as one of the giants in college athletics? DeLoss' vision reshaped UT-Austin, it reshaped college athletics, the entire NCAA.’’